Winch Fairlead Poll

[mountainpete]

Let's talk about everyone's experience and preference regarding fairleads!

Conditions: Synthetic winchline, ARB Bullbar and a Warn M8000 winch.

Option 1: Delrin replacement Rollers ~ $70.00



More info on this one here: http://www.winchline.com/fairleads.htm

Option 2: Alluminum Fairlead ~ $40.00



So... which would you choose and why?

Pete

[BigAl]

I thought you had to go with option 2 for synthetic cable?? Wouldn't the rope wedge itself into the gap at the end of each roller??

[DaveInDenver]

The club had a seminar put on by ARB and the rep said something I did not know. You can use regular metal fairlead rollers as long as they are new and not previously used with wire rope. I dunno if there are conditions which make that untrue, but that was new to me. Personally, I don't have a winch yet, but when I get around to filling the hole in my bull bar I'll go with rollers, be those metal or Delrin.

[Dirty Harry]

I think that the hawse fairlead is better for rockcrawling since it offers a better approach angle, but for expedition trips where the chance of side pulls is greater and the approach angle issue is not as big of a deal I can see an advantage to the delrin roller fairlead.

[mountainpete]

I thought you had to go with option 2 for synthetic cable?? Wouldn't the rope wedge itself into the gap at the end of each roller??

Good point Al. Here is what Winchline.com says on their FAQ page:

4. I have heard that you can pinch a synthetic winchline between the rollers, what's up with that?

We have tried to do that without success . Provided you are using equipment in good working order and based on our extensive testing it is not possible to get the line pinched between the rollers or between the roller and the steel roller housing.

Also, in 4WDTO magazine Bill Burke mentioned something similar.

[Scott Brady]

Even better, use the Viking aluminum caged roller with delrin rollers. Half the weight of a similar steel roller.

[mountainpete]

Even better, use the Viking aluminum caged roller with delrin rollers. Half the weight of a similar steel roller.

Scott,

I don't see a special caged roller on the winchline.com site... just the rollers.

And by half the weight, aren't we talking about just one or two lbs (without the rollers)?

Pete

[Beowulf]

Is this a new product for them? I am more than willing to buy a nice aluminum cage and derlin roller fairlead if they have it. If not I'm going to paint my superwinch cage black and install their derlin rollers.

They are also coming out with some more in line cable protectors. Here are two versions. One more on the way.






Per stu olson's site:

"Winchline.com is coming out with a new protector in a few months that can be kept in the recovery bag until needed. It will wrap onto the line for use and can then be removed and put back into the gear bag once you are done winching."

[lowenbrau]

UHMWPE

Cheap and effective.

http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/accessories.htm

[Beowulf]

Also, Stu has a great write-up with safety information here:

http://www.stu-offroad.com/recovery/...inchline-1.htm